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Tag: Refinery

  • NNPC plans refinery deal to tackle fuel issues

    NNPC plans refinery deal to tackle fuel issues

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Bayo Ojulari, says the company is considering partnering with a professional refinery operator to address Nigeria’s lingering refining challenges.

    Ojulari said this on Thursday while receiving members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

    He said NNPC had completed technical assessments on the country’s three refineries and recently concluded a commercial review of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which revealed the need for a more sustainable business model.

    “The solution you are proposing is the same one we are working on.

    “We have now completed the technical review of the three refineries, and from the commercial review of Port Harcourt, it’s clear that we need to bring in a true professional refinery company to partner with us,” Ojulari stated.

    He explained that years of neglect and inadequate maintenance had rendered the refineries commercially unviable, resulting in losses of between N300 million to N500 million monthly.

    “We were pumping around 50,000 barrels of crude daily into the refinery, but getting less than 40 per cent output.

    “So, rather than continue to incur losses, we halted operations to seek a viable and profitable model,” he added.

    Ojulari emphasised that President Bola Tinubu had not exerted any political pressure on NNPC to resume refinery operations prematurely, stressing that all steps taken so far had been focused on ensuring long-term sustainability.

    “There was no political pressure to keep running at a loss. We decided to freeze operations and focus on getting it right,” he said.

    He also addressed recent protests and calls for his removal, revealing several targets of coordinated harassment.

    “There is a formidable plan to remove me, and staff morale has taken a hit. But we are focused on delivering our mandate,” Ojulari stated.

    Earlier, PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, hailed the current NNPC leadership for improved pipeline functionality and increased oil production since Ojulari’s appointment.

    He also expressed the union’s readiness to support NNPC in its drive toward energy stability.

    “We are currently producing about 1.8 million barrels per day.

    “Our goal is to reach 2.6 million barrels by 2026 by addressing issues like non-producing fields,” Osifo said.

  • “Stop attacks on NNPCL CFO to avoid ethnic cleansing” -Group warns

    “Stop attacks on NNPCL CFO to avoid ethnic cleansing” -Group warns

    Arewa Progressive Vanguard (APV), a sociopolitical network group cut across the 19 Northern States of the Federation and in the diaspora; has called on individuals, groups and associations, to refrain from further attacks on the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Adedapo Segun.

    Mr. Segun who was appointed CFO in November 2024, has been under serious attacks by various groups, with some dragging him to court while others querried the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for not including him in its ongoing probe of the mismanagement of the Port Harcourt refinery funds.

    But in a statement signed on Thursday by Alhaji Idris Musa, Global President of APV, the group lambasted those calling for the resignation of Mr. Segun, warning against distractions and fanning the ember of ethnic crises.

    The group stressed further that, the NNPCL is a very versatile and sensitive company and a man in the capacity of a Chief Financial Officer deserves every sense of calmness, serenity and peace, to be able to perform optimally well in his duties.

    “We read few days ago, where one group was even accusing the EFCC of selective probe. They alleged that it was because Mr. Adedapo Segun is a Yoruba man, that’s why the antigraft agency secluded him from the ongoing probe.

    “We view such comment as myopic, insensitive and highly inflammatory. We are known reputable and international organisation known for advancement of peace, unity and development in the northern region. As a responsible group, we make bold to say that, such comments should not be coming from a northern group.

    “Corruption does not know tribe or region. And the EFCC is a competent and professional organisation that needs no validation from any group before it does its work. If Mr. Segun is culpable, I’m sure the EFCC won’t let him go. But we should also be sensitive not to cause issues where not necessary.

    “We therefore call on those fanning the ember of ethnic crises to refrain from if forthwith. We have been there before and we can’t afford another civil war in Nigeria. We should be patient with the institutions empowered for investigations and prosecutions. We should desist from social media trials and distractions. Such an office of the CFA is very sensitive and key to national economic growth. We should not use our hands to destroy our own legacy and institution”, the group stressed further.

    The Arewa group, however, said Mr. Segun will not be spared, if investigations find him culpable. But for the main time, “people or groups should not be allowed to be used as tools for blackmail and saboteur”.

  • EXPOSED! Real reason why former NNPCL, boss Kyari’s account was frozen revealed

    EXPOSED! Real reason why former NNPCL, boss Kyari’s account was frozen revealed

    Justice Emeka Nwite has given reasons for granting an ex parte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the bank accounts of former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

    The judge issued the order on Tuesday, a move that has plunged the former NNPCL boss into fresh trouble.

    The order affects funds totalling ₦661,464,601.50 across three Jaiz Bank accounts — one in Kyari’s name, and two linked to the Guwori Community Development Foundation and the Guwori Community Development Foundation Flood Relief.

    According to EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, who filed the ex parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1641, the freezing of the accounts is necessary to enable ongoing investigations against Kyari.

    In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated, “I have listened to counsel to the applicant and gone through the affidavit evidence with the exhibits and written address attached in support. I found that this application is meritorious, and it is hereby granted as prayed.”

    The judge subsequently fixed September 23 for the report of ownership of the bank accounts.

    Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sacked Kyari in April 2025 and appointed Bayo Ojulari as his replacement.

    Since his removal, allegations of fraud during his tenure have surfaced, but the former oil chief has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

  • Ethnic Youth Leaders, lawyers drag NNPCL CFO to court over alleged mismanagement of PH Refinery

    Ethnic Youth Leaders, lawyers drag NNPCL CFO to court over alleged mismanagement of PH Refinery

    Human Rights Lawyers and Youth Leaders have unleashed a third legal action at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, seeking to sack and prosecute NNPCL CFO Dapo Segun over the mismanagement of Refinery Rehabilitation.

    The troubles facing the controversial NNPCL Chief financial officer Dapo Segun who was in charge of the failed refinery rehabilitation, seems far from being over as Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria from different parts of the country alongside constitutional lawyers have dragged Mr Dapo Segun before the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    In the suit, they are seeking for mandatory sack, arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the former EVP downstream whose tenure saw the mismanagement of the refinery rehabilitation that cost Nigeria over five trillion naira.

    This is the third legal challenge coming at the controversial CFO from different groups and committed Nigerians seeking reforms and transparency in the oil industry.

    The pressure for his sack, resignation, and arrest seems not to be dying down as more Nigerians are now joining the call.

    The suit which was filled today with suit number FHC/CS/157/2025 is a Judicial Review, seeking numerous declarations and mandamus against the EFCC and Dapo Segun by a group of constitutional lawyers and leadership of ethnic youth leaders of Nigeria.

    The Counsel M.O Osuji, Esq on behalf of the Applicant prayed the court for the following: “An Order of this honorable court granting leave to the applicant to bring an application for mandamus directing the 1st Defendant to commence investigation of the activities and role of the 2nd defendant as the Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, in connection with the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the NNPCL and rehabilitation of the PortHarcourt and Warri Refineries.

    “AN INTERIM ORDER OF COURT directing the 2nd Respondent (Dapo Segun) to forthwith step aside as the Chief Financial Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and cease the performance of any duty pertaining thereto, tampering with or altering any documents or records material to the investigation into his conduct and/or role in the acquisition of the of OVH Energy by the ‘NNPCL and rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt and Warri Refineries, pending the hearing and determination of the Substantive Motion on Notice for Judicial Review.

    “AN ORDER OF COURT granting Leave to the Applicant to serve the, the order granting leave to the Applicant, Motion on Notice for Judicial Review and any other process(es) in this Suit on the 2nd Defendant by substituted means to wit: delivering all the aforementioned court processes to the Legal Department of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at its head office at Central Business District, Abuja. AN ORDER OF COURT directing an accelerated hearing and determination of this Suit.”

    Addressing journalists at the court shortly after, in PortHarcourt, River state, Osuji noted that their major concern as lawyers is that despite the good and commendable steps taken by the EFCC to investigate the dealing in Port harcourt refinery as a result of the turnaround maintenance, the gentleman who is at the helm of affairs during that period is not being investigated.

    He said, “Our major concern is despite the good and commendable steps taken by the EFCC to investigate the dealing in Port harcourt refinery as a result of the turnaround maintenance, the gentleman who is at the helm of affairs during that period is not being investigated. That’s Dapo Segun, he was also involved in OVH acquisition and yet we are yet to see its true potential. It’s not hasty, April from now is about 4 months ago, in the circular issued that they have commenced investigation. What I expected that this invitation would have been extended to the man at the helm of affairs, the Chief Operating Officer of NNPCL.

    He’s at the helm of affairs during the turnaround maintenance and acquisition of OVH.

    “He has a vital role to play. As I speak to you several people are being investigated by EFCC, including the Former GMD, Mele Kyari. We as lawyers we have a duty, to assist the EFCC, the law, the presidency in fighting corruption, that’s why we’ve brought this action for the court to mandate them to investigate the man who’s at the helm of affairs.”

  • No explosion at Port Harcourt refinery, NNPC clarifies

    No explosion at Port Harcourt refinery, NNPC clarifies

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has refuted reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers.

    The company, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that what occurred was a flare incident, which has since been fully contained.

    Soneye said there was no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities, or the environment.

    “NNPC Ltd. urges the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, as they are entirely false,” he said.

  • Port Harcourt refinery, another grand deception from NNPCL -Coalition

    Port Harcourt refinery, another grand deception from NNPCL -Coalition

    As reactions continue to thrill the announcement by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), that the Port Harcourt refinery has been activated for operation; a group of Civil Society Organisations has called for great caution.

    The groups, under the aegis of Coalition for Accountability and Transparency in Energy Sector (CATES), said what the NNPCL was glorifying was not a full fledged refinery which Nigerians paid for.

    In a statement on Wednesday by the Spokesperson of the Coalition, Dr. Linus Ikwur, the groups alluded that, despite the public outcry from stakeholders, organisations and individuals, warning against turning the Port Harcourt refinery to a blending plant, the NNPCL made good its intention and damned whatever would come out of it.

    The coalition described the much celebrated Port Harcourt refinery as “what I ordered, vs what I got”, saying, the NNPCL did not mean well for the country and the citizenry, by converting the heritage refinery in Port Harcourt to a mere blending plant, despite receiving huge funds to operationalize it.

    “The NNPCL was given money to turn Port Harcourt into a full fledged refinery. But now they want to turn the place into a blending plant, despite the public outcry on the dangers of having a blending plant in the region that is already suffering environmental degredation.

    “Nigerians paid for a refinery and not a blending plant. This is a clear case of what I ordered vs what I got.

    “There’s a need for great accountability, transparency and probity in ensuring that the refineries operate at 100% capacity and not as a blending plant”, the statement said.

    Speaking further, the Coalition expressed great disappointment with the announcement of NNPCL, confirming that the refinery was to serve as a blending plant, which it described as a global practise; warning that the agency should cease the deception forthwith.

    Dr. Ikwur said, “to us, it did not come as a surprise, because we saw it coming and we have raised enough alarms, so that it could be averted, but the authority kept calm, until the NNPCL perfected its plan to convert our heritage refinery into a blending plant. But we were highly disappointed, that the NNPCL misled Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu into believing that the Port Harcourt refinery had come back to live.

    “It took the great effort of the the media, Sahara Reporters in particular, to confirm our claims that Nigerians were indeed celebrating a blending plant, and not a refinery. Nigerians are too wise for that grand deception and Mr. President should not fall for that kind of cheap attempt to score political goals by the NNPCL.

    “Mele Kyari and his cohorts should stop misleading the President. They should rather come out and explain how the over N17 trillion expended on our local refineries went and why is it that none of the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries is working, after receiving such a humongous funding”.

    It would be recalled that, the NNPC posted on its X handle on Tuesday, saying: “NNPC Ltd Delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 1.45 pm.

    “Watch the commissioning and trucking out event LIVE.”

    But an online platform in an exclusive report Tuesday night, exposed that, the NNPCL “is not trucking out Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, from the Port Harcourt Refinery as it claimed on Tuesday”, claiming a top source within the system revealed it.

    Instead, it said the NNPCL bought “Cracked C5 petroleum resins” and blended it with other products including Naphtha to sell to the Nigerian public as though the refinery processed it.

    “The plant is running but it is the old one of 60,000bpd capacity but you can’t get PMS from it except diesel. The part that produces PMS is yet to start.

    “If you hear they are trucking out PMS from the depot, know it is a lie. They bought Crack C5 from Indorama company in Port Harcourt and blended it with Naphtha to sell to the public”, the source told Sahara Reporters.

    Unexpectedly, the Spokesperson for the NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye swiftly confirmed the claims in a statement Tuesday night, saying, “blending is a standard practice in refineries globally”.

    Soneye said, “It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.

    “Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes. Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements”.

  • Port Harcourt Refinery expected to load 200 trucks daily with products—Presidency reveals

    Port Harcourt Refinery expected to load 200 trucks daily with products—Presidency reveals

    Nigeria’s Presidency has said that with the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery on Tuesday, about 200 trucks are set to load petroleum production at the government-owned plant.

    A presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, disclosed this in a statement through his official X handle on Tuesday.

    This comes as they Nigerian National Petroleum Company on Tuesday announced that Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced crude oil processing.

    Reacting, Dare said, “200 trucks are expected to load products daily from the refinery, Renewing the Hopes of Nigeria.”

    He added that “the Port Harcourt refinery has two wings.

    “The Old Refinery comes on stream today with an installed production capacity of 60, 000 barrels per day of crude oil.”

  • Tinubu in joyful mood over Port Harcourt refinery revival

    Tinubu in joyful mood over Port Harcourt refinery revival

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited on the successful revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    Tinubu also urged the firm to expedite the scheduled reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

    Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

    The statement is titled ‘President Tinubu celebrates the revival of Port Harcourt refinery and directs NNPC Limited to promptly reactivate Warri and Kaduna refineries.’

    Onanuga said, “The President acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all our refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.

    “Furthermore, President Tinubu commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve this milestone.

    “With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urges NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.”

  • Finally, lifting of petroleum products begins at Port Harcourt refinery as NNPCL starts operations

    Finally, lifting of petroleum products begins at Port Harcourt refinery as NNPCL starts operations

    Finally, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has concluded plans to commence the lifting of petroleum products from Port Harcourt Refinery.

    The lifting, which will commence today, Tuesday, November 26, 2024, follows the commencement of operations after many months of rehabilitation.

    In a message posted at its X (Twitter) handle, the company, stated: “NNPC Ltd delivers Port Harcourt Refinery, as the plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 1.43 pm.”

    Also, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Olufemi Sonoye, who confirmed the development, said: “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”

    Recently, the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said: “We are aware of our nation’s challenges in fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses.

    “We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity. We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”
    “Will the price of petrol drop?’ Netizens react as Port Harcourt Refinery begins operation

  • Import licence: NNPCL asks court to strike out Dangote Refinery’s suit

    Import licence: NNPCL asks court to strike out Dangote Refinery’s suit

    The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to strike out a suit filed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, describing it as “incompetent.”

    The NNPCL, in a notice of preliminary objection filed by its team of lawyers led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo, argued that the suit is premature.

    NAN reports that the application, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 dated and filed on Nov. 15, was sighted on Wednesday.

    NNPCL seeks two orders, which include an order of the honourable court striking out the suit for lack of jurisdiction and alternatively, an order striking out the name of the 2nd defendant (NNPCL) from the suit.

    Giving six-ground argument, the corporation argued that Dangote Refinery lacked locus standi to institute the suit.

    “The plaintiff’s suit is premature. The plaintiff’s suit discloses no cause of action. The 2nd defendant is not a competent party. The plaintiff’s suit is incompetent. This honourable court lacks the jurisdiction to hear this suit,” the NNPCL said.

    In the affidavit in support of the application deposed to by Isiaka Popoola, a clerk in the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co, counsel to the NNPCL, he said one of their lawyers, Esther Longe who perused Dangote’s originating summons, affidavit and written address told him that an examination of the processes showed that NNPC sued by the refinery was non-existent entity.

    Popoola averred that the court lacked jurisdiction over the 2nd defendant sued as NNPC.

    “This 2nd defendant in this suit as consistently seen on the face of the plaintiff’s originating summons, the affidavit in support and the written address as “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC)”

    “A simple search on the CAC website shows that there is no entity called “Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC).”

    “The print out of the said search is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit A,” he said.

    According to Popoola, the 2nd defendant/objector is not one and the same with the 2nd defendant sued by the plaintiff.

    “The registered name of the 2nd defendant/objector is Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and this is the only name it can be sued by,” he added.

    He said the NNPCL as sued by the refinery in the instant suit, is not a competent party or a juristic person.

    Popoola, who averred that the suit is incompetent and ought to be struck out, prayed the court to grant their application in the interest of justice.

    NAN had earlier reported that three oil marketers had also prayed the court to dismiss the suit.
    The oil marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 filed on Nov. 5 in response to Dangote Refinery’s originating summons, told Justice Ekwo that granting that application would spell doom for the country’s oil sector.

    According to them, the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.

    The three marketers; AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.

    Besides, they argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.

    Dangote Refinery had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    Also listed as 3rd to 7th defendants respectively in the originating summons dated Sept. 6 are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

    It prayed the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPCL and five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.

    The company also prayed the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

    It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

    It also urged the court to declare that NMDPRA is in violation of its statutory responsibilities under the PIA for not encouraging local refineries such as the company.

    The company equally sought a N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products.

    These it said are Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Jet Fuel (aviation turbine fuel) into Nigeria, “despite the production of AGO and Jet-A1 that exceeds the current daily consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria by the Dangote Refinery.”

    Justice Ekwo had fixed Jan. 20, 2025 for report of settlement or service.